They died in their thousands, trapped by the weight of their own numbers.
A great cheer sounded. Looking up, the Primate saw an impossible sight. The defenders had somehow crossed the river. A bridge of rainbow light crossed the Sarsen.
As Melovar watched, the bridge faded. Soon, it was as if it had never been there.
71
Never fight to the bitter end. Either fight to win, or live to fight another day.
— Memoirs of Emperor Xenovere I, 121-1, 381 Y.E.
MIRO was the last to cross the bridge. He leapt lightly to the Alturan side and gazed upwards at the forests of Altura. He had never seen such a beautiful sight.
He wondered again at the ability of whoever had assembled the bridge. It must have been the High Enchantress. He didn’t see how it could have been anyone else.
He heard the screams and cries of terrified men. Looking behind him, he saw a great commotion as the horde of enemy soldiers plunged over a cliff. Their bodies tumbled into the water, sinking instantly as their heavy armour weighed them down. It was another event that left Miro breathless. What had really happened here this day?
A hooded woman in a green robe strode to the bank. She raised her arms, chanting runes in a powerful voice. At her command the magical bridge faded away.
The woman turned and her arms dropped to her sides. Suddenly Miro couldn’t breathe. He simply stopped and stared. The pale blonde hair, the bright green eyes.
It was Ella.
She looked exhausted. He could see dark circles under her eyes. She looked like she hadn’t slept in weeks. A small woman walked up to her, one of the Dunfolk. Miro recognised the healer who had saved Ella’s life, so long ago. Layla.
The small woman opened her arms. Ella bent down and hugged Layla. Tears started flowing down her face. Layla whispered something, but Miro couldn’t hear what it was.
72
Would you really give anything for your children? Even your ability to watch them grow?
— Primate Melovar Aspen to Lady Katherine Torresante, 524 Y.E.
"THE Lord Marshal wishes to see you," Layla whispered.
Ella composed herself. "Where is he?"
"Right behind you."
Ella whirled, and there he was.
He looked awful. He was covered in blood. A deep scar ran from below his left eye to his jaw line. His armoursilk was torn. He looked like a man twice his age.
"Miro!" Ella cried. She ran to him. He enfolded her in his arms. Ella felt wetness against her cheek. Was he crying? She pulled back from him. He was!
Miro wiped at his eyes, "Ella. It was you?"
Colour came to her cheeks; she nodded.
"But how?"
"It’s a long story. And you? You’re the Lord Marshal?"
"I suppose I am." He grinned ruefully. "We have a lot to talk about."
They both looked around at the smiling onlookers.
Miro’s face suddenly clouded. He gripped his sister by the arms. "Amber! Have you seen her?"
"She’s here? No, I haven’t seen her. Where is she?"
A man walked up to them. A priest. It was Father Morten from Sarostar. "Amber crossed the river," he said. "She didn’t come back."
Miro looked back across the river, his fists clenched at his sides.
Ella took her brother by the arm, and together they followed the Dunfolk into the forests of Altura.
73
And so I bid you farewell. My second expedition to the Great Western Ocean is finally ready to depart — we leave with the tide. This time I feel that we are prepared. The Buchalanti have stayed silent, but I have seen too much on my travels to believe that the world of the Tingaran Empire is all there is. Wish me fortune. I hope to see you all soon.
— Toro Marossa, ‘Explorations’, Page 589, 423 Y.E.
THE people of Salvation thought it must be a miracle. Perhaps it was an omen? The promised return of the Evermen had come at last.
The mountain of Stonewater billowed smoke like a volcano.
A lone man came shuffling and stumbling down from above. He was bare-chested, covered in blood and grime, his flesh scratched and torn. Perhaps once his trousers had been brown. He had unruly red hair that hung to his collar. When he looked up people remarked on his steady gaze, the piercing blue eyes.
Killian limped along. The glowing Halrana Lexicon was in his arms. He felt pain all over his body. He ignored the ordinary citizens of Salvation. Their gazes followed him as he headed for the Temple of the Sky, and his rendezvous with Evrin Evenstar.
He coughed and lurched, holding onto a wall for support. He turned into a side street and hobbled past a group of staring girls. Turning another corner he saw the crystal dome ahead.
He had done it. He had accomplished the impossible. The Primate’s perversion of essence would be no more.
Killian wiped his mouth and looked at his red hand. He felt the moisture at his lip and wriggled a loose tooth.